And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

EZEKIEL 1:22KJV
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Ezekiel 1:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 1:22 mean?

Ezekiel 1:22 describes a shining expanse, called the "firmament," that appears above the heads of the living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision, looking like awe-inspiring crystal stretched out over them. The verse uses vivid imagery to communicate the overwhelming and mysterious nature of what Ezekiel saw.

In this scene, Ezekiel, a prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, is describing his vision of heavenly beings and the structure above them. The "firmament" is pictured as something solid and dazzling, emphasizing both the separation between the creatures and what is above, and the majesty of the vision. This sets the stage for the rest of Ezekiel’s vision, highlighting the glory and otherworldliness of God’s presence.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 1:22

  • "Firmament" (רָקִיעַ, raqiaʿ): This word refers to an expanse or a dome-like structure, often understood as the sky or heavens in ancient Hebrew thought. Here, it suggests something solid and magnificent above the creatures.
  • "Terrible" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means "fearful" or "awe-inspiring," not just frightening but also commanding deep respect. It emphasizes the overwhelming impression the crystal-like firmament made on Ezekiel.
  • "Crystal" (קֶרַח, qerach): This word means "ice" or "crystal," conveying the idea of something clear, pure, and shining. The comparison helps the reader picture the brilliance and clarity of what Ezekiel saw.

Why Ezekiel 1:22 matters

  • Ezekiel 1:22 helps clarify that the vision is not describing ordinary earthly things but something supernatural and beyond normal experience, using language that stretches the imagination.
  • The description of the firmament as "terrible crystal" underscores the majesty and separateness of God’s realm, which is a major theme in Ezekiel’s vision.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision by showing the order and structure of the heavenly scene, preparing the reader for the revelation of God’s throne above the firmament in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“crystal” Hebrew H7140 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 31:40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
  • Job 37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
  • Psalms 147:17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

“firmament” Hebrew H7549 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
  • Genesis 1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Ezekiel 1:23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

“likeness” Hebrew H1823 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
  • Ezekiel 8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

“above” Hebrew H4605 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:8 For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.